634x258 Dugout Discussion

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday One, Day Four

15 June 2014 3787 comments
Paul Paul
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With three World Cup matches on offer this evening, Fantasy managers have plenty to look forward to. First up, Switzerland take on Ecuador in the 5pm kick-off, with Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side looking to maintain the form that saw them top their qualifying group with an unbeaten record over 10 matches:

Switzerland: Benaglio: Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Djourou, Rodriguez: Inler, Behrami; Shaqiri, Xhaka, Stocker; Drmic

Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, W Ayovi; A Valencia, Noboa, Gruezo, Montero; Caicedo, E Valencia

For Switzerland, the highly-rated young left-back Ricardo Rodriguez will add plenty of attacking threat from the back, whilst the likes of Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are tasked with supplying the creativity behind Josip Drmic, who notched 17 times in 30 starts for German side Nurnberg in 2013/14. The one surprisde from Hitzfeld’s line-up is his decision to opt for Johan Djourou ahead of Fabian Schar in central defence.

Ecuador will be looking for front two Enner Valencia and Felipe Caicedo to grab the goals. The latter was top scorer in qualifying with seven strikes, whilst elsewhere in Reinaldo Rueda’s 4-4-2, Jefferson Montero and United’s Antonio Valencia will also be hoping to make an impact on the flanks.

After that, France square up to Honduras in the other Group E game at 9pm. Despite losing Franck Ribery to injury, Les Bleus are highly-fancied in this one – they’ve won four and drawn one of their last five friendlies, conceding just a single goal in the process. Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena owners have every reason for optimism as Didier Deschamps’ side look to get off to a winning start before a midweek meet with the Swiss.

Our late night viewing sees Group F get underway with a clash of the favourites, as Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina go head-to-head. Lionel Messi will surely be sporting the armband for a number of managers for the 11pm kick-off, though there’s no shortage of options on our radars for this clash, with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic all looking to catch our attentions before the schedule eases considerably for both sides.

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3,787 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Disgraceful from Honduras

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      They are a horrible bunch

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  2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Honduras aren't doing anything to try and alter that stereotype of it being an outrageously violent country

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  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Honduras team should be banned from football

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nuke 'em.

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  4. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Sounds to me like some nobhead is trying to incorporate those migraine-inducing vuvuzelas into this World Cup too.

    Uh.

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  5. Telpuialion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    The NO Goal part actually helps because it determined whether Benzema should be awarded the goal or the goalie with an OG. Could make the difference with Golden boot or something else. I actually liked the fact that it did that.

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      agree

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    2. PGR
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I agree. Don't know what all the confusion was about though!

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      1. BONZ
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Pearce is a complete bellend that is probably still steaming fro last night.

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  6. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Right. New bet

    France to score next, Messi motm 3-1

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      di maria motm... even better, more money

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    2. Lucas Leiva
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Got £25 on Messi MOTM & France to win. £68 returns.

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  7. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Bit of a dilemma 🙁

    Neymar - Benzema - Honda is my frontline.

    Do I leave Messi on the bench?

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I would bring him in for Honda. Gambol.

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    2. crystalpalaceRus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Take out whoever makes less out of honda/benzema

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  8. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Vote Pogbaaaaaaa!

    http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186496/man-of-the-match.html

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    1. AWOL-Ekotto
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      why?

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        To win monies!

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    2. Konig Luther
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      only if people vote di maria in next game

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      1. PGR
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Surely messi in the next game. people just vote for the most famous player on the pitch. Still can't believe Shaqiri won. He was quite poor.

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    3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I have voted on 3 iPads, 2 phones and a PC

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Haha! Dedication! I've voted on that link, I'll vote on my two Twitter accounts when it's up.

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  9. JT's Dog
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Vote pugba
      C'mon the dogs

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    • seanie3
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      how many points does alba have, is it 6 or 4 please

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      1. Telpuialion
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        It says 6 but should be 4. I reckon it will be changed at some point.

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    • Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Please shut the f**k up whoever's blowing that f**king horn

      🙂

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Is it Triggerlips blowing his own trumpet?

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        1. Vote Joke
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          You really don't like that guy, do ya?

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I don't know him but I hate the way he constantly makes posts that are dismissive of anyone who isn't as great at Fantasy football as he is. He needs a massive dose of humility. There are many good players on here but none are as so self important as he is

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    • shillso
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Are we voting for messi next?

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

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    • JT's Dog
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I am going to bet a lot on whoever Honduras play in the last 16

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      • Marouane Fellatio
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Stand to make a fair bit of cash if this finishes 4-0. Valbuena to score both please!

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      • The Gambler.
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I know it's Fathers Day but why does the McDs game send me 3 kisses every time I change a player?

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      • Alan The Llama
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Jonathan Pearce is shockingly bad.

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      • crystalpalaceRus
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        More side netting illusions

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      • Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Jonathan Pearce is awful. has he lost it?

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        1. crystalpalaceRus
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Not been the same since Robot wars.

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        2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Never had it

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      • Pinky and Brain
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Thought it went in.

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      • theBoose
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        query for ye..

        currently playing 3-4-3 with di maria furthest right. i want to change to a 4-3-3 in order to get the iranian defender on. if i change formation, i know di maria will go off, but will he be locked or can i still sub him back in..?

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        1. Telpuialion
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          You will be able to sub him back on until 10 minutes before their game kicks off i think.

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        2. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Once you do it before Arggies match kicks off you'll be ok

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          1. Belli2007
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            How do you know which player will go off if you switch formations?

            I am keen to switch to 4-3-3 too but want to losing the lowest scoring mid.

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            1. theBoose
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              your furthest right player as you look at it on your screen goes off..if he's played you can't sub him back on. if he is yet to play you can sub him back on.

              cheers for the help gents.

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              1. Belli2007
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                right, ok. That is annoying as it will be a scoring player. I will remember that for set up in the next round. Thx

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      • Grounderz
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Dammit! Evra would have gotten the assist had that gone in.

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      • JT's Dog
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Even Honduras manager looks like he runs a police death squad

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        • Optimus.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Cabaye off Gibbs on

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            #MarrinerVision

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        • Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I just dropped my phone on the McD site and It took a player out luckily it was Ozil. jeez even scared to hold my phone now

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Wow your phone confirms things when it drops

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            1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              No it hit a corner of a table and I must have pressed the screen as I picked it up

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        • Blue Lion
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Valbuena..now is the time for you to get yourself a few assists/goals.

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          1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Agreed

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        • Root
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Valladares own goal given on McDonald's. "Own Goals: -2 Pts"

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        • SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Whenever Jonathon Pearce commentates I can only think of watching Robot Wars when I was a kid. Honduras doing there best Sergeant Bash impression

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        • NED KELLY
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I like Jonathan Pearce he's so bad it's funny! Did benzema get the goal?

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        • JT's Dog
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Owning valbuena is a bit like silva in fpl
            Does all the good work but isn't there for big points most of time

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            1. Blue Lion
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Spot on!

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          • Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Cabaye is goons stick with his 5 points, yeah? Time to move him out for Di Maria.

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